"Cuts on this scale cannot be delivered without closing prisons and bringing courts to a standstill," the union said.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "This is the first indication of the true scale of the cuts being imposed upon departments by this coalition Government, and it paints a devastating picture.
"It is clear that the civil service will simply not be able to cope. We will take every opportunity to remind the Government and the public that there is an alternative and these politically-motivated cuts are entirely avoidable."

there is an alternative and these politically-motivated cuts are entirely avoidable."

do nothing and have to make even greater cuts later